Far Hill Quarry | |
---|---|
Location | Harpur Hill |
Coordinates | 53°14′49″N 1°51′07″W / 53.247°N 1.852°WCoordinates: 53°14′49″N 1°51′07″W / 53.247°N 1.852°W |
Lake type | artificial |
Primary inflows | groundwater |
Primary outflows | evaporation, seepage |
Basin countries | England |
First flooded | c. 2005 |
Max. length | 308 ft (94 m) |
Average depth | 20 m (66 ft) |
Max. depth | 40 m (130 ft) |
Settlements | King Sterndale, Buxton |
Far Hill Quarry is a disused quarry on Harpur Hill, Derbyshire. It has flooded and became known locally as "The Blue Lagoon". The attractive blue colour is from caustic chemicals in the stone. The quarry lake is a popular swimming spot, despite pollution and its pH level being 11.3, which is highly alkaline (ammonia is 11.5 and bleach is 12.6).
A proposal in August 2012 to fill in the quarry was rejected. In 2013 the water was dyed black to deter swimmers, but as of 2015 the water had clarified and the lagoon has its natural blue appearance again. The water remained a lush blue until it was again dyed black in April 2016.